UPDATE 1-U.S.

House Democrat Pelosi to tell political plans Wednesday

November 13, 2012|Reuters

(Recasts lead, new quotes)

By Thomas Ferraro and Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Nancy Pelosi said she willannounce on Wednesday if she will end her 10-year-run as the topDemocrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, which included ahistoric stint from 2007 to 2011 as the chamber's first and onlywoman speaker.

"I will see you 10 a.m., tomorrow, those of you who areinterested," Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesdayafter being asked about her political future.

Hailed as a crusading reformer yet denounced by Republicansas a reckless liberal, Pelosi, 72, will announce a long-awaiteddecision that has had much of Washington guessing.

After a second straight disappointing election last week,Pelosi will announce if she will run to again lead her party inthe House next year - or step aside.

"Two weeks ago, all signs were that she was staying inleadership," said a senior Democratic aide. "She was completelyengaged."

"But since the election, she's been wishy-washy," the aidesaid. "It's unclear what she will do."

Pelosi, first elected as House Democratic leader after the2002 election, planned to announce her decision after a privatemeeting with House Democrats who saw their numbers increase byseven seats after last week's congressional election.

Still, they fell far short of the needed 25 to take backcontrol of the House from Republicans.

After House Democrats lost 63 seats in the 2010 election,handing the chamber to Republicans and ending Pelosi's four-yearreign as speaker, she was widely expected to step aside fromleadership.

But she surprised many and was easily elected as House minority leader. Democrats said there is no doubt she would winagain if she decided to stay.

"House Democrats are waiting to hear" what she decides todo, said Representative Steve Israel, head of the HouseDemocratic campaign committee.

If Pelosi decides to step aside, she is likely to bereplaced by the chamber's No. 2 Democrat, House Minority WhipSteny Hoyer.

Some financial market analysts have been anxiously awaitingPelosi's decision.

Analysts have said if Hoyer, who is seen as a moderate, wereto become Democratic leader, it could be easier to reach a dealto cut entitlement programs, a key to reaching a bipartisanagreement on long-sought deficit reduction.

Whatever her decision, Pelosi has said she will complete hernewly won 14th term as a congresswoman from San Francisco.